"Seeking common ground while reserving differences, different paths leading to the same destination?" Fujitora murmured these two phrases, remaining silent for a long moment before speaking in a deep voice:
"The people here have allowed me to see the 'common ground,' so what is your 'path'?"
Taro fell silent.
Regarding Fujitora, Taro could not yet speak deeply with such a shallow acquaintance or confide his innermost thoughts. After all, Fujitora was not Zephyr.
Zephyr had lost his own way on the path forward, becoming disoriented. Therefore, Taro was willing to point out his own path to Zephyr, so the two could support each other and walk together.
But as for Fujitora, he had seen much with his eyes open, and'seen' even more with them closed. He knew what path he wanted to walk.
Moreover, since Fujitora chose to join the Marines, it meant he had already'seen' the road ahead clearly and would definitely persist in walking it.
Seeing that Taro had not given an answer for a long time, Fujitora nodded, "This old man understands!"
Then, the two fell into silence once again.
On the playground, the joyful laughter of the common people rose and fell in succession, seemingly indicating that this world was perfectly normal.
But both Taro and Fujitora understood in their hearts that this was merely a superficial appearance. This world was truly sick.
The sun gradually sank in the west. The two had maintained this awkward, silent atmosphere for several hours. Even with Taro's Qi-nurturing foundation from his Internal Skill, he was starting to find it unbearable.
Stretching his neck, Taro prepared to take his leave, but Fujitora hesitantly spoke up,
"There is one matter this old man wishes to confirm with you!"
Taro was puzzled, "Please, go ahead!"
"I heard from Sherman that before the Marineford War, you went to Impel Down. I wish to know the information about the escapees from the Sixth Level."
Fujitora's state seemed off, no longer as composed as before, appearing quite conflicted. "The newspapers did not publish any content regarding this..."
Fujitora's displayed hesitation made Taro particularly curious. He thought for a moment, "Whose information do you want to know?"
Fujitora remained silent for a while, the scar on his face twisting slightly, before finally resolving himself and uttering a name:
"Patrick Redfield!"
Seeing Taro somewhat stunned, he added, "He is also known as 'the solitary red' or 'Red Count.'"
When Taro heard the name Patrick Redfield from Fujitora's mouth, he was shocked.
Upon hearing the title 'the solitary red,' the impression in his mind gradually became clear.
Holy crap, why is Fujitora suddenly asking about this? Does he have some connection with Redfield?
"Is it inconvenient to say, or do you not know either?" After waiting a while and still receiving no response, Fujitora pressed on somewhat unwillingly.
Taro finally snapped back to reality and shook his head, "No, this matter is no secret among the Marine high command. He did indeed escape from prison!"
Hearing Taro say this, Fujitora's expression suddenly became peculiar, hard to tell if it was regret or relief. Finally, he sighed, "So he really did escape, huh?"
Holy crap, that reaction, that tone... you two really do know each other?
Uncle, isn't that outfit of yours from Wano Country?
With such a massive, inexplicable bombshell thrown his way, Taro really wanted to dig into it. His curiosity could no longer be suppressed, and he asked, "You know each other?"
Fujitora nodded heavily.
Taro stared, dumbfounded. Holy crap!
"Fifty years ago, this old man was just a three-year-old child, wandering in a port town in the West Blue. He was a bit older than me back then and took good care of me."
Fujitora wore a reminiscent expression, which then turned somewhat mournful.
"Later, he awakened a powerful Observation Haki that allowed him to see through people's hearts. After witnessing too much of humanity's ugliness, he began to feel great aversion towards people, gradually becoming somewhat reclusive."
"After that, he was even bewitched by a certain pirate. When he grew up, he went and became a pirate himself. As a Marine Vice Admiral, you should be able to learn about what happened after he became a pirate."
Taro did indeed know about the later events.
After Redfield became a pirate, he did not recruit any companions, yet with his own power alone, he stood on equal footing with his contemporaries Roger and Whitebeard. His strength was terrifyingly formidable.
Later, he even defeated the then-Fleet Admiral, the current Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces—Kong. Finally, exhausted of strength, he was arrested by Garp and sent to Impel Down for imprisonment.
Swallowing this bombshell, Taro was so shocked his jaw nearly dislocated.
Taro also knew that the pirate who 'bewitched' Redfield was actually Brook from the Straw Hat Crew.
Damn it, in the end, it turns out the entire pirate world is just one big network of connections!
Taro felt he had it too hard. No background, no connections, starting on hellish difficulty—it was a miracle he was still alive!
System Dad, you're awesome!
"By the way, Sherman is his grandson!" Fujitora added another sentence.
Crack
Taro's jaw truly dislocated this time.
Holy crap, even that arrogant kid has a background!
"You seem very surprised?" Fujitora tilted his head, 'looking' towards Taro.
Taro clenched his right fist and pushed his mandible back into place, his mouth twitching,
"I never expected Sherman to be his grandson. It's quite unexpected; I never heard Sherman mention it."
Fujitora shook his head, "That's only natural. Because Sherman doesn't know any of this. Redfield himself doesn't even know that his wife was pregnant with his child before he set sail!"
Saying this, he sighed, "Sherman has never met his parents either, and doesn't know he has a grandfather still alive!"
"Huh?" Taro exclaimed in surprise, "Then what about Sherman's parents and grandmother...?"
Fujitora said calmly, "They're all dead. Such things are all too normal in this era."
Taro noticed Fujitora's hand gripping his cane-sword tightened slightly, reflecting that his inner feelings were not as calm as his expression.
There was probably more to this story!
However, Fujitora clearly had no intention of elaborating, and Taro felt it inappropriate to press further.
"Taro, I entrust Sherman to you!"
After a while, Fujitora suddenly spoke up again,
"Since you know what I intend to do, you should understand my difficulties. It's no longer very suitable for him to remain by my side."
Taro was utterly bewildered. So, the bombshell wasn't free to swallow after all!
But, Uncle, do you know what I'm planning to do? It's even less suitable for him to stay with me, okay?
First Grant, now Sherman. You guys are all entrusting your orphans to me way too recklessly!
I'm just a magnet for trouble, you guys are making a huge mistake! It's absolutely not safe with me!
"I think you should reconsider more carefully," Taro said, scratching his head in distress. "It's not as safe here as you imagine!"
"'You guys'?" Fujitora noticed Taro's choice of words, his eyes opening a bit more, revealing parts of the whites. "There are others who have done this too?"
Holy crap!
Taro's eyes widened. You old fellows, usually you can't understand what I'm saying, but you hear it crystal clear at times like this!
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